Chapter 4: Design of a Beam Reconfigurable Microstrip
Antenna Using 180° Phase Shifter at 2.4 GHz (Practical
Case)
This chapter presents the practical implementation of the beam reconfigurable
antenna using PIN diodes as electronic switches to control the phase excitation
of the patch elements. The design extends the ideal model by adding switching
capability, enabling dynamic selection between two signal paths: one direct
and the other containing a 180° phase shift. The structure is simulated using
co-simulation in ADS, combining layout and schematic-level analysis for
accurate performance evaluation.
4.1 Structure
In the practical design, two PIN diodes are integrated into the feed network of
the antenna, one in the direct path and the other in the 180° phase-shifted path.
The diodes are placed such that only one of the two paths is active at a time,
depending on the applied bias voltage. The basic geometry of the antenna
remains similar to the ideal case, consisting of two square patch antennas, a T-
junction power divider, and a circular-slot-based phase shifter.
The layout is modified to include pin connections (terminals) for diode
control. These pins are placed at appropriate points in the layout, and a symbol
is generated for the layout using ADS’s co-simulation feature. This symbol is
then imported into the schematic environment, where the full circuit—
including diode models and DC bias—is constructed for simulation.
4.2 Working Principle
The PIN diodes act as electronic switches, allowing signal flow through one
path while blocking the other. By applying bias voltages alternately, the antenna
can switch between the 0° phase path and the 180° phase-shifted path.
When the diode in the direct line is forward-biased (ON) and the other is OFF,
the patches receive in-phase signals. When the diode in the phase-shifted line is
ON, the patches are excited with a 180° phase difference.
This method allows real-time beam reconfiguration using low-power control
signals, making the system more adaptable to varying wireless communication
needs.
The practical beam reconfigurable antenna is designed to achieve dynamic
phase control through the use of PIN diodes acting as electronic switches in
the feed network. A total of four diodes—Diode 1 and Diode 2 for the right-
sided patch, and Diode 3 and Diode 4 for the left-sided patch—are
incorporated to control the signal flow and phase state of each antenna
element.
Left-Sided Patch Configuration
Diode 3 is always forward biased with a constant DC supply of +5 V, ensuring
that the left patch consistently receives the input signal. In the practical design,
Diode 3 and Diode 4 are incorporated into the left-sided patch not for
switching purposes, but to maintain symmetrical current distribution with
respect to the right-sided patch. Since the right-sided patch contains two diodes
(Diode 1 and Diode 2) for phase control, placing Diode 3 and Diode 4 on the left
path ensures that the electrical and physical layout remains balanced,
minimizing undesired current distortion and radiation asymmetry. In this
configuration, Diode 3 is always forward biased to allow signal flow, while
Diode 4 is always reverse biased to isolate the secondary path. This
symmetrical arrangement helps to reduce mismatches and ensures consistent
electromagnetic performance across both antenna elements, especially in high-
frequency operation where layout symmetry plays a critical role in maintaining
radiation quality.
Right-Sided Patch Configuration
The right-sided patch is the reconfigurable element whose phase is
dynamically controlled through Diode 1 and Diode 2.
When Diode 1 is forward biased and Diode 2 is reverse biased, the input
signal is routed through the 180° phase shifter. In this case, the right patch
receives a signal that is 180° out of phase with respect to the left patch.
Conversely, when Diode 2 is forward biased and Diode 1 is reverse biased,
the signal bypasses the phase shifter and travels through the direct path. This
results in both patches being fed with in-phase (0° phase difference) signals.
This switching mechanism enables beam steering by electronically controlling
the phase difference between the two antenna elements. Depending on the
diode biasing configuration, the antenna's main radiation beam is steered in
different directions, demonstrating the concept of beam reconfigurability.
By integrating this switching network into the layout and utilizing co-simulation
in ADS, both circuit-level control and electromagnetic behavior are
accurately captured, making the design suitable for practical wireless
applications that require adaptable radiation patterns.
In this practical design, all switching elements are modeled using the D383
PIN diode, which is widely used in RF and microwave applications. The D383
diode is specifically chosen for its reliable switching performance at
frequencies below 10 GHz, making it well-suited for the operating frequency
of 2.4 GHz in this antenna design. Its low parasitic effects, fast switching
characteristics, and compatibility with co-simulation modeling in ADS
contribute to its effectiveness in controlling signal paths without significantly
degrading antenna performance.
4.3 Simulation and Results
To evaluate the performance of the practical beam reconfigurable antenna,
detailed simulations were conducted using the co-simulation approach in
ADS, combining both electromagnetic and circuit-level analysis. The primary
objective was to observe how the antenna responds in terms of radiation
characteristics when different diode states are activated. The results include
measurements of radiation intensity, gain, directivity, and the far-field
radiation pattern under two configurations: when the right-sided patch is
excited through the 0° path and when it is excited through the 180° phase-
shifted path.
In both configurations, the antenna maintained good radiation performance,
with acceptable levels of gain and directivity at the operating frequency of
2.4 GHz. The far-field plots clearly show a shift in the direction of the main
radiation beam, confirming successful beam reconfiguration controlled
through diode biasing. The radiation intensity distribution also reflects the
dynamic nature of the beam steering, with the lobe direction changing in
response to the phase difference created between the two patches.
Furthermore, the antenna maintained stable gain and efficiency in both
phase states, demonstrating that the inclusion of the switching diodes and the
phase shifter did not significantly degrade the antenna’s radiation quality. These
simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed practical design in
achieving directional control through electronically switchable phase excitation.
Table 4.: Antenna Parameters
Parameter Value
Directivity 8.57946(dBi)
Gain 6.62351(dBi)
Radiation efficiency (%) 63.7389
Maximum intensity 0.000297596 (Watts/Steradian)
.
0°
0.0003
5°
45
-4
°
0.0002
0.0001
Mag. [W/sterad]
-90°
90°
0.0000
-1
5°
35
13
°
180°
Theta (-180.000 to 180.000)
.
0°
9
10*log10(mag(Directivity))
45
5° ° 10*log10(mag(Gain))
-4
-11
-31
Mag. [dBi]
-90°
90°
-51
-1
35 5°
° 13
180°
Theta (-180.000 to 180.000)
For 180 degree:
.
0°
0.00030
5° 0.00025
45
-4
°
0.00020
0.00015
0.00010
Mag. [W/sterad]
0.00005
-90°
90°
0.00000
-1
5°
35
13
°
180°
Theta (-180.000 to 180.000)
Gain, Directivity
0°
13
10*log10(mag(Directivity))
3 45
5° ° 10*log10(mag(Gain))
-4
-7
-17
-27
Mag. [dBi]
-90°
90°
-37
-1
35 5°
° 13
180°
Theta (-180.000 to 180.000)
Comparisgn:
Radiation Intensity
0°
0.0003
45
4 5° °H
-
0.0002
Mag. [W/sterad] (H)
0.0001
-90°
90°
0.0000
-1
35 5°
° 13
180°
Theta (-180.000 to 180.000)